Actual News from Chechnya

News update

The Lower House of the Russian parliament, the State Duma has passed in the first reading a draft resolution on the declaration of amnesty in Chechnya in view of the adoption of the republics constitution. The number of votes needed to adopt the resolution was 226 but 354 deputies supported the document and 18 voted against while 4 abstained. Amnesty will be granted to both Chechen militants and Russian servicemen who involved in the anti-terrorist operation in Chechnya. The resolution takes effect when it is published in newspapers. Under the Russian constitution the Lower House enjoys the right of declaration of amnesty. The draft resolution was put forward to the Lower House by the Russian President who have the right make legislative initiatives.
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Up to one thousand people, including 300 Russian servicemen will be granted amnesty. The Russian Presidents envoy at parliament Alexander Kotenkov stated this when the bill introduced by Vladimir Putin was debated. He said that the exact figure of militants is unknown since many people were sentenced.
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Chechen history

Chechnya | Questions and answers

This pamphlet is about Chechnya , a Russian territory which has witnessed the most tragic events over the past decade. The book is the latest update on the Chechen Republic . And this is very important, since a lack of fresh and accurate information about events in Chechnya generates many distorted conceptions and rumours - both within and outside Russia . For example, that Chechen society is allegedly inherently alien to Russia , that pro-Russian elements in the republic are marginalised; and lastly, that Russian power structures are fighting the Chechen people, rather than armed bandit groups. The reality, however, is that only with the return of the legitimate authorities are villages and towns being restored, children going to school for the first time in many years, and pensioners receiving long-forgotten pensions, i.e. a social rebirth is underway. Lying ahead are a referendum on a new Chechen constitution, and parliamentary and presidential elections. These votes will be held, despite continued attempts by bandit groups and their leaders to scupper the process of normalisation in the republic, the latest terrorist act being the bombing of the republican government building. The war being waged by Chechen separatists against federal forces and more often than not against their own co-citizens is by no means a "national liberation struggle of the Chechen people", but an episode in the overall offensive by international terrorism on the fundamental principles of modern civilisation. The facts show that being a part of the Russian Federation in no way threatens the Chechen Republic 's cultural identity, the free use of its own language, and preaching Islam. On the contrary, it was during de facto "independence" from Russia that the Chechen people suffered a humanitarian tragedy on an unprecedented scale. Hostage-taking, the slave trade and plundering came to form the economic basis of the new regime, while chaos and war became the form of its political existence. We want to emphasise once more: Chechnya is part of Russia , geographically, politically and civilisation-wise. So a hypothetical triumph of radical Islamism on its territory would be anti-historical. Such a development would signify the establishment in the midst of Europe of a Taliban-like regime, with all ensuing consequences for the international community. The corporate author - journalists of the Russian Information Agency Novosti - have attempted to be as brief as possible on providing answers to the most-often aked questions (above all posed by a foreign audience) about the Chechen issue. Hence the book's title: " Chechnya : Questions and Answers". It draws heavily on information provided by various Russian ministries and departments that in one or another way are involved in normalising life in the republic.
Russian Information Agency Novosti
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Chechen economics

The Restoration of Transport System in Chechnya

Transport system in Chechnya is being restored promptly and gradually becomes part of Russia's transport network. Normal highway and railway communication between the republic and the country's other regions is being adjusted. In the middle of April a central bus terminal was opened in the Zavodskoi district of Grozny.It serves as the terminal for the capital's buses and buses which travel to other towns. From there Chechnya's residents can travel to western areas of the republic, neighbouring republics of Kabardino-Balkaria and Daghestan, Russia's Stavropol region and Moscow. Only recently fixed-route buses travelled from Grozny once a week. In addition, there was no permanent place for their departure which caused much trouble for passengers. From now on buses will travel every day in keeping with a fixed schedule. What is also important for passengers and drivers is to have highways repaired. The restoration of highways and bridges has been stepped up in the republic.In March a car bridge across the River Argun was put in exploitation, it is the biggest in Chechnya--some 150 metres long. The cost of the reconstruction work was some 3 million roubles, they were allocated from the federal budget for the goal-oriented programme of Chechnya's restoration. The bridge is of great importance not only for Chechnya but also for Russia as a whole since it is part of the "Kavkaz" highway connecting cities of Roston-on-the Don and Baku. Involved in the reconstruction and construction of highways in the republic are Chechen workers and builders from other parts of Russia, as well as army railwaymen and army engineers. Three army engineer batallions of Russia's various military districts have restored 60 kilometres of highways, mainly,in Chechnya's mountain regions since February. Those roads were destroyed in last summer's flood. At present army engineers of the Defense Ministry are involved in the reconstruction and construction of highways in the Achkhoi-Martan and Grozny regions. Army railwaymen have restored over 20 kilometres of railways and 14 bridges. In addition , they clear off mines at railways and give them technical service.Railway terminals are operating again in Grozny and Gudermes, suburb trains go in keeping with the schedule, and a fast train bound from Grozny to Moscow carries passengers once in 6 days. Therefore, residents of the republic do not fell themselves isolated from the rest of Russia any longer.
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Issue 94
22.05.03

Chechnya: news | arguments | facts

22 May 2003  Police contributing to Chechnyas restoration
Shamil Magomayev was appointed chief of the Argun city police department fairly recently, soon after the constitutional referendum in Chechnya. He says he likes his new job and the people he works with. He feels that although far from all Argun policemen can boast advanced theoretical knowledge, everybody has impeccable practical skills. They are equally good at handling arms, vehicles or communication facilities. But, perhaps, the main thing is that they are eager to work and fear nothing. Small wonder then that the police department has been successfully coping with the tasks assigned. Shamil Magomayev says the crime situation in the city has largely improved as a result of these efforts and he feels it will continue to improve. The Argun population is fully aware of the importance of an effective police force and has been offering policemen whatever assistance they can. There is perfect interaction between police and elders, as well as between police and muftis. The city police chief comes to the mosque every day of prayer to talk with the believers, answer their questions and offer explanations for the problems they may have. Some of the believers act as mediators for rebel fighters who want to give up their criminal activities and return to peaceful life. Shamil Magomayev says his policemen are prepared to extend a helping hand to the fighters who plan surrender to the authorities and lay down their arms. The police department chief says his basic objective is to enforce law and order in full in Argun. To bring this about, he says, we need help from civilians. While policemen, for their part, will always protect and defend them from any attack by any gangsters or fighters.
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21 May 2003  The Chechen State University Becomes the Republic's Educational, Scientific and Cultural Centre
The Chechen State University has got accreditation of the Russian Ministry of Education. So,it has confirmed its status of the country's leading institution of higher learning. Today the Chechen State University enrols 10,000 students, it is staffed with 620 teachers, including 30 professors and 150 candidates of science. The University building has been repaired and equipped with all neccesary equipment. Say, the university has got over 250 computers and laboratory equipment.At present the university's library is being restored, once it contained over a milllion books. Yet much has still to be done to turn the Chechen university into a genuine educational, scientific and cultural centre of the republic. The main role in this belongs to the Foundation for the university's restoration which was set up in 2002. The idea of creating such foundation appeared during a meeting between the president of the World Council of ex-Foreign Ministers Alexander Bessmertnykh and the UNESCO Secretary General Koishira Matsuura. The restoration of Chechnya's educational system was also discussed during president Vladimir Putin's meeting with the UNESCO Secretary General. The Foundation for the university's restoration has already done a lot. According to the foundation's vice-president Vakha Ilyasov who is responsible for international relations, what matters most today is to finish compiling the university's library; the president of the Moscow Industrial Bank helped to buy modern equipment for the language laboratory.Shortly didactic material for natural science laboratories will be delivered from the UNESCO headquarters. Russia's intellectual circles are also contributing to the revival of the Chechen university.The university has already signed agreements on cooperation with a number of institutes of Russia, other Commonwealth states and foreign countries.Vakha Ilyasov says that the main task is the university's integration into the Russian and international systems of education. In 2002 the Chechen university joined the Euro-Asian Association of Universities,talks are under way on the university's joining the World Association of Universities with the headquarters in Paris. On May 22, the Chechen university will be the venue of a graduates conference to discuss matters pertaining to the university's revival.
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20 May 2003  State Duma Due to Consider Amnesty Issue in Chechnya on May 21st
The Parliaments Lower House, State Duma, will consider the Russian Presidents project on amnesty in view of the adoption of the Chechen Constitution at a plenary session on May 21st. According to the Chairman of the State Dumas legislation committee Pavel Krasheninnikov, the decision has been reached at a meeting of the State Duma Council.
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Russia - Chechnya

Ingushetia prays for stability in Chechnya

Ingushetia playing host to thousands of displayed Chechens remains in the center of attention of many International social and humanitarian organizations and at meetings between republican leaders and officials of those bodies the issue of how best to assist the displaced in Ingushetia is a constant topic of discussion. The focus is on how to make such help more effective, concrete and targeted. There are at present 50 humanitarian missions in Ingushetia out of which Doctors without borders organization is the most active. Of course republican leaders are not just on-lookers and despite all the difficulties facing the people and the government because of the huge influx of refugees and in spite of no extra budget financing Ingushetia is doing everything possible to lighten the suffering of the displaced. Until quite recently the numbers of displaced people from Chechnya and North Osetia on the territory of Ingushetia were close to 200 thousand but now the numbers have been brought down to 64 thousand Chechens and ten thousand from North Osetia. Eighteen and a half thousand displaced Chechens continue to live in tent towns but they receive medical care supported by a network of drug stores. Schools are also operating. In recent times people have gradually been returning home since they believe that peace will one day be restored in Chechnya It is vital that such a trust is nurtured and helped because it will go a long way in stabilizing the situation and assisting in repatriating the displaced back to their original homes.In this connection and as emphasized by the Ingush president Murat Zyazikov the direct address by Russian president Vladimir Putin to the people has had a huge significance. President Zyazikov believes that each displaced person returning home should be given a specified amount of money to build a house and to begin to live afresh. It should be stressed that only people voluntarily and freely willing to go back home should be helped to do so There must be no switching off of electricity and gas in tent towns to compel the displaced to go back to their homes.
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Chechen tarditions

The word "Nokhchallah" does not lend itself to translation . But it may and must be explained. "Nokhcho" stands for Chechen."Nokhchallah" brings together all the specific properties of the Chechen character. It implies a whole gamut of moral and ethical norms. It may be described as the Chechen code of honor. Chivalry, gentility, diplomatic skills, manliness, generosity and reliability are the qualities which a child of a hardline Chechen family imbibes with, as they say, his mother's milk. And the Chechen code of honor is rooted in the remote days of Chechen history. In the severe conditions of bygone years a refusal to open the door to a stranger could lead to lethal frostbites. He could succumb to fatigue or famine, fall prey to a wild beast or highway robbers. The ancestral tradition which has been held sacred, demands that a stranger be welcomed in, seated by the fire, offered food and shelter for the night. Hospitality is, thus, "nokhchallah." The narrow roads and paths of Chechnya zigzag around mountain cliffs and on the brink of precipices. A fight or a heated argument may send one down into the abyss. Politeness and willingness to compromise are "nokhchallah." The strenuous conditions of their life taught the highlanders to help and support one another, which is also "nokhchallah." But "nokhchallah" has nothing to do with the Table of Ranks. There have been neither princes nor serfs among the Chechens. "Nokhchallah" is an ability to deal with people without showing your privileged position. The privileged should be extra polite and accommodating to avert hurting anyone's feelings. If two men meet and one of them is riding on horseback and the other walking, the one who is riding shall be the first to utter words of greeting. If the one who is walking is older that the one who is riding, the rider shall dismount to greet the older man. "Nokhchallah" is friendship that lasts all life: in joy and sorrow. Highlanders hold friendship sacred. Inattentiveness or impoliteness shall be forgiven if they are displayed to a brother, but to a friend - never! "Nokhchallah" is special respect for women. A man dismounts his horse before entering the village where the relatives of his mother or his wife live. And here is a story about a man who asked to spend a night in a house that stood on the outskirts of a Chechen village, without knowing that she was alone. The hostess could not reject his request. She gave him something to eat and made a bed for him. In the morning, the man realized that the woman was alone and that she had spent the night sitting by a lit lantern in the anteroom. As he was hurriedly washing up, he brushed the woman's hand with his small finger by accodent. The man cut the finger off with his knife before leaving that place. Only a man brought up in the spirit of "nokhchallah" will go to such pains to protect a woman's honor. "Nokhchallah" rules out all attempts at subjugation. Male Chechens have, since times immemorial, been brought up as protectors and trained to bear arms. "Come at liberty" is the oldest of the greetings in actual use in Chechnya. The freedom of spirit and readiness to fight to protect it is "nokhchallah." "Nokhchallah" demands that Chechens respect all other men, regardless of their social origins, family background and religious beliefs. The bigger the difference between a Chechen and someone else, the more respect the Chechen shall accord that someone. You have a chance to be forgiven for hurting a Moslem's feelings because, people say, you may meet the person whose feelings you have hurt on Judgement Day. But all is lost if you have hurt the feelings of a person of a different creed, because there is no chance of ever meeting him. The sin will stay with you forever. "Nokhchallah" is no book of do's and don't's. It is of their own free will that the Chechens obey its rules. It is a condensed formula of a Chechen way of life.
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